Light bulb for 1986 compass

[sailingdolphin]

Trying to find where I can Buy the light bulb for the compass.

[Stu Jackson]

Doug, your compass is made by Ritchie, most likely the SP-5 binnacle mount.  West Marine's 2007 catalog, page 137, has "Accessories: Green LED & wire assembly"  Ritch#  SH-0176XSP" for $10.99. 

Our 1986 compass has a red light.  Red LEDs also appear to be available, on page 138, SH-0174-XSP.

You could get in touch with Ritchie, too.

[sailingdolphin]

Thanks Stu good resource.  I figured out something before I read your e-mail.  I went to a light bulb store and got the same one for $1.95 and then took a Red sharpie to the outside of the bulb and it worked great.

[Ron Hill]

Doug : Your success may be short lived!! 
I've found that paint and coloring on a bulb surface will eventually fade out.  What you need to get is a colored glass so the light stays the same color over time.  An LED is your best bet!!  A thought.   

[Tom Glennon]

Just an FYI:
I returned my compass to ritchie last winter, as I noticed that a seal had fatigued and leaked the oil out of the bubble.

For $186, I got back a virtually NEW compass.  They did a fantastic job.

[Bob Kuba]

I also had my compass rebuilt by an authorized Ritchie repair shop.
One item the repairman mentioned involved winter storage in colder climates like Chicago.
He said that the compass should always be removed from the boat and stored indoors.

Storing the compass outdoors will allow the extreme cold to contract the compass fluid, thereby creating a vacuum effect and sucking air into the housing through the seals and causing a bubble. Of course when it warms back up, the fluid will expand and force the air back out again. But now the seal has been compromised and will eventually leak and fail later on. But not until you need it most.

[Mert Gollaher]

Another FYI - The 1986 Ritchie SP-5 compass from my 1987 boat developed a crack in the dome along its equator.  Ritchie quoted $198 as this year's maximum cost to refurbish it. Up a few dollars from the last post, but with a replacement over $500, it seemed like the way to go. I sent it off for repair to Ritchie, and I received it back today. They've done a great job.  I'd almost swear they sent me a new one.  They were great responding to e-mail and phone contact as well.

[Brad Young]

Getting ready for my first overnight sail, I noticed that my Compass light does not work on my newly purchased 1986 C34. (Hull #34).  Did not check for this on the survey. Anyway, I looked around for a bulb and did not see one.  Where is the bulb located? Could the bulb assy have been removed by the PO.
Thanks
Brad

[Ron Hill]

Brad : Most likely the wiring is at fault rather than the bulb. 
Remember that the compass light is wired into the running light circuit - no running lights no compass light!!  If you pull up and twist the stainless binnacle & compass it should lift off the pedestal steering.  There you'll see the 2 wires to the compass and the 2 butt splices of the compass wires to the wires that connect to the running light circuit. 
Look for a crimped and/or a broken wire first before getting a new bulb.  A thought

[Brad Young]

Thats hull #84 not 34
Just got back from the boat. Spent three days on her. Man was that fun!!!!!

Turns out my compass lighting problem was a butt connection problem.(Thanks Ron) found inside the compass shroud.

thanks
Brad